Down Memory Lane: 2008

Thursday, December 18, 2008

AU2008 - ISSNIP Dinner Cruise

The International Conference on Intelligent Sensors, Sensor Networks and Information Processing (ISSNIP) is an annual international forum on recent advances in both theory and applications of intelligent sensors and smart systems in diverse areas ranging from manufacturing and defence to medical science and environmental monitoring. The 4th ISSNIP conference was held in Sydney, Australia from the 15th to the 18th of December. Chaired by our supervisor, our research lab had the chance to volunteer during the conference and were treated to a dinner cruise, unlike most conferences that usually organises banquets at hotels.

Matilda Cruises

Our dinner cruise was operated by Matilda Cruises, where the whole catamaran was chartered specially for the conference delegates. At about 6.00pm, all the participants waited in front of the Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour.

Hopping on-board…

Once on-board, we were served with drinks while taking in the famous landmarks around the harbour.

Views along the cruise

We were also just in time to catch the sun setting down behind the Sydney harbour skyline.

Sunset

After cruising for about an hour, we anchored at one of the many bays around the harbour, looking back towards Sydney Harbour.

Looking back at the harbour

Our dinner was then served.

Dinner time..

After dinner, we started cruising back to Darling Harbour, taking in the spectacular night views of Sydney harbour.

Views along the way back

Some of the conference delegates

Upon disembarkation, we were treated with a nice view of Darling Harbour.

Darling Harbour

Special thanks to Ee Hui for the pictures.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

AU2008 - Australian International Motor Show

Also known as the Sydney Motor Show, the Australian International Motor Show 2008 features hundreds of vehicles on display of which many are all-new, updated and revised models and with some being cutting-edge concept cars from around the world. It is reputed to be the largest single-industry exhibition in Australia and Sydney's major automotive events of the year.

Banners all over Darling Harbour

Unfortunately for 2008, a lot of major car makers were not there at the show, unlike previous years. Among those who were absent were Audi, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Citroen, Fiat, Hummer, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Porsche, Proton, Rolls-Royce, Saab, Smart and SsangYong.

Anyway, our first stop was at the General Motors stand, where they were debuting the Cadillac in Australia, showing off the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept, GM’s Hybrid System and the GM Chevy Volt.

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

Hybrid System

GM Chevy Volt

Next stop is the SuperCar Central.

Here, they showed us a collection worth $8 million of exotic automotive styles and muscles. Among them are the two of the world’s fastest car, Koenigsegg and Pagani. Displayed along them were Elfin, Bolwell, the Gemballa Porsche, Lotus, Bufori, and Morgan. The only surprise was Lotus Elise is also considered a super car.

Koenigsegg CCX

Pagani Zonda C12S Roadster

Elfin Type 5 Clubman

Gemballa Avalanche GT800 EVO-R

Bufori MKIII

Chamonix 550 Spyder

Lotus Elise S

Bolwell Nagari

Morgan Aero 8

There were also an interactive games section where they were promoting the Motor Storm Games for PlayStation 3 and WAECO’s racing game.

Motor Storm

WAECO’s racing game… driver’s licence required

Moving on, Volvo’s stand was showing a cute inflatable car and also the XC60.

Volvo’s Inflatable Car

Volvo XC60

Then, we arrived into Toyota’s stand, where real cars were used as the backdrop.

Toyota’s Stand

Among the cars displayed by Toyota were the Hybrid X, Camry Hybrid and the HV-R Supra.

Toyota Hybrid X

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota HV-R Supra

Next to it was Suzuki’s stand showing off the Kizashi 3 Concept, which looks like a Camry-Audi combination with a Samurai Sword name.

Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept

Then, we had to climb up the stairs into Mitsubishi’s stand where visitors get to play real-time car racing game in the actual Lancer Evolution.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Real-time racing in the Evo

Right next door is Subaru’s stand.

Subaru STi

Next up, Honda. Among the vehicles displayed were the Civic Type-R and City Concept.

Honda Civic Type-R

Honda City Concept

Also on display were the CBR 1000RR and other motorcycles with air-bags (front only). What happens if you fall sideways?

Honda CBR 1000RR

Honda motorcycles with air-bags

Here is also where I bought the Honda ASIMO souvenir.

My Honda ASIMO souvenir

Moving on, we arrived into Lexus’s stand.

Among the vehicles on displayed were the Lexus GS460, LF-Xh concept, IS250C, IS Concept and IS-F.

Lexus GS460

Lexus LF-Xh

Lexus IS 250C

Lexus IS Concept

Lexus IS F

There were also a small replica of Lexus's previous concept.

Ferrari, next stop, where they showed existing models as well the as new California.

Ferrari’s existing models

Ferrari California

Flocking together at the same area is the Maserati’s stand …

Maserati’s stand

… and the Lamborghini stand.

Lamborghini’s stand

Next up, Mazda with the Mazda 6 Diesel, RX8 and the Taiki Concept, which is probably Batman’s next car.

Mazda 6 Diesel

Mazda RX-8 GT

Mazda Taiki

Nissan was also showing off their concept, the Mixim.

Nissan Mixim

Our next stop was Peugeot with its 308CC, 207CC and the 207CC Le Mans Edition.

Peugeot 308CC

Peugeot 207CC

Peugeot 207 Le Mans Edition

Followed on is Renault’s stand, where the Laguna and Koleos were on display.

Renault Laguna

Renault Koleos

On our way towards the exit, we came to the final stand, Ford and Holden. Ford was displaying their FPV 5th Anniversary GT while Holden was showing their HOSV series.